I Love Data Centers

In Episode 3 of the I Love Data Centers Podcast, you'll meet Pete Sclafani, COO and Co-founder of 6Connect. Pete's expertise allows him to speak up and down the IT stack. I call Pete a "life decathlete" because of the breadth of experience he has as an IT expert, businessman, husband, and father.

Episode 003 Show Notes

• Where are you right now? [3:13]

• Pete’s background [4:18]

• Norwich University [6:03]

• How did you get into technology? [8:37]

• Pete’s college experience [11:26]

• First job out of college [15:10]

• “Saddest Cubicle” [18:59]

• First time walking into a data center [20:06]

• Pete on the evolution of 6Connect [23:22]

• How do you go about speaking with different archetypes in the industry? [27:13]

• Speaking to executives [29:42]

• Speaking with operational people 31:01

• What have you learned in this industry that has surprised you? [31:54]

• “Lessons in Grid Computing” [34:37]

• How do you see things evolving in the industry? [39:21]

• Pete on innovation in the industry over the past 15 years [45:16]

• What is a common misconception people have about the data center industry? [52:32]

• What is on the backdrop of your computer right now? [54:23]

• Mac or PC? [54:49]

• What have you read lately that you found fascinating? [55:30]

• “A World Undone” book [55:54]

• What advice would you give someone new to the industry? [57:25]

• How to contact Pete and learn more about 6Connect [59:19]

Links mentioned in episode

Saddest Cubicle

https://www.wired.com/2014/10/saddest-cubicles/#slide-4

Lessons in Grid Computing

https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Grid-Computing-System-Mirror/dp/0471790109

A World Undone

https://www.amazon.com/World-Undone-Story-Great-1914/dp/0553382403

Episode 002 - Data CenterIndustry Education on Capitol Hill

Raw and honest advice, plus some entertaining stories about the data center industry that drives the digital world in which we live. In this episode, Sean interviews Christian Dawson with Internet Infrastructure Coalition (i2Coalition).

Show Notes:

Where are you right now and what are you working on? [2:39]

What is the I2C? [3:08]

Involvement with I2C [3:36]

What motivated you to move into policy work in DC? [3:55]

Description of PIPA and SOPA Bills – [5:45]

Companies that are part of I2C – [9:07]

DC Fly-Ins [10:15]

How many members are in I2C? – [11:28]

Christian on changes in I2C – [15:05]

Do you remember your first experience walking into a data center? [18:50]

What is one of more impressive Data Centers you have been through? [25:18]

What was your experience growing up around technology? [29:06]

Where did you grow up and how were you introduced to first mac? [38:38]

Legislators understanding the industry [41:40]

What are other resources that are available to those in the industry? [43:46]

Electronic Frontier Foundation [44:37]

Where do you think the focus will be moving forward for our industry from a legislative perspective? [45:28]

Are there private interests outside of government that are advocating for further regulation of the data center and telecommunication industry? [48:27]

Do you believe that government agencies that deal with security have the access they need to information that is traversing the Internet? [50:19]

Some positive things happening in DC [56:52]

What specific points would you want to get across to Data Center professionals? [59:43]

How to reach Christian [1:01:18]

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Connect with Christian on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiandawson

The Electronic Frontier Foundation

https://www.eff.org/

i2coalition

https://www.i2coalition.com/

2017 Congressional Fly-In

https://www.facebook.com/events/1153061131448200/

Digital Education Institute

http://digitalei.org/

Raw and honest advice, plus some entertaining stories about the data center industry that drives the digital world in which we live. In this episode, Sean interviews Richard Donaldson with eBay.

Show Notes:

Introduction [1:12]

Where are you right now? [3:33]

Background and role at eBay [09:13]

What got you interested in tech? [13:41]

Why Richard was brought into eBay [22:07]

First data center experience? [27:15]

Trace routes [29:45]

First computer you owned? [36:16]

Changes in the industry over the past decade [38:51]

--Edge Connex [45:15]

Common misconceptions in the industry today? [51:16]

Most fascinating things you have learned since working in the industry? [53:04]

Advice you would give someone new to the industry to help accelerate their career? [56:43]

On specialization and the medicinal marijuana industry [01:00:04]

How to connect with Richard [01:01:39]